Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. received donation from Harrah's Chester

Among the 27 charities across Pennsylvania that received a combined $101,346.81 in donations last month from eight casinos was a curious recipient: the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp.

Casinos raised the money during one-day test runs of table games by regulators.

Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack split its winnings of $4,316.96 between two groups - the Chinatown nonprofit and the Delaware County Literacy Council.

The development corporation was a vocal opponent of Foxwoods Casino's effort to relocate to Center City, first to the Gallery at Market East and then to the old Strawbridge & Clothier department store.

John Chin, executive director of the development corporation, said there was no contradiction between protesting one casino and accepting a donation from another.

He said the organization opposed the Foxwoods project because of its proximity to Chinatown. "It was at our front doorstep," Chin said. "Parking and traffic were the real issues.

"The Chester casino is far removed from Chinatown," he said.

Chin said Harrah's selected the development corporation and had supported its events over the years.

Of the other local casinos, Parx in Bensalem gave a total of $13,644.54 to the Lenape Valley Foundation; the Women's Humane Society of Bensalem; and the family of jockey Mario Calderon, killed in May during a training run at Philadelphia Park.

The Sands gave a total of $12,184.40 to 17 organizations in the Bethlehem area.